| History | Carl F. Eiberger Jr. (1931–2019), conservationist and attorney, provided over 24 years (1974–1998) and 10,000 hours of pro bono legal work to preserve South Table Mountain from becoming a 75-year quarry (1975–2050). He fought 98 public hearings and won them all for the citizens of Golden. His pro bono work equated to millions of dollars in legal fees (in today's dollars). In honor of Carl Eiberger's philanthropic giving to Colorado and its Golden citizens, the top northeast corner of South Table Mountain is named Carl's Point. Carl led the Citizens Coalition to Preserve South Table Mountain, which consisted of concerned Golden neighbors and citizens. For example, neighbor and mining engineer S. Alex Scott provided expert testimony that mining would destabilize the rock formations and endanger the residential homes below. Carl, Alex, and the other concerned citizens used their expertise to fight for and preserve this landmark. Carl, a native of Colorado, grew up during the Great Depression and used his intellect and studies to make a better life for himself and his family. He graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School as the class valediction in 1948. Carl poured his heart and soul into his studies, graduating first in his class from Notre Dame Law School in 1954. Carl loved Colorado and its gorgeous sunsets over the mountains. “This is God’s country,” he would say in appreciation of the sunsets over South Table Mountain. He relished Colorado’s spectacular vistas throughout his 88 years, and he left behind an extensive repository of information about the battle to preserve South Table Mountain: https://carleiberger.com. He is featured in the gallery “Legendary People” at the Golden History Museum. Carl never took for granted the opportunities with his studies to get out of poverty, and he loved selflessly giving back to anyone in need, especially the Golden community. Carl helped create 11 parks in Golden, including founding Applewood Park. Most notably, of course, he was instrumental in protecting and preserving South Table Mountain, the "Gateway to the Rockies." South Table Mountain is significant in its history, paleontology, and geology. The first Tyrannosaurus rex tooth and the first Cretaceous–Paleogene (K-Pg) geologic boundary in North America were found on South Table Mountain. The first T. rex tooth found, in 1874, was on the west side of South Table Mountain, and the first K-Pg boundary to be discovered was found 49 feet below what is now Carl’s Point, on the east side of the mountain, in 1943. (The K-Pg boundary represents debris from the asteroid impact hypothesized responsible for the mass extinction event that ended the Cretaceous Period and the Mesozoic era.) “We wouldn’t have a South Table Mountain if it weren’t for Carl F. Eiberger.” Don Parker, Save the Mesas |
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